McGOWAN, WILLIAM (July 07, 1838 — April 06, 1881) Ship's Master. At the maritime forefront during years of massacres and unrest, bankruptcy, upheaval and jousting for supremacy by Chiefs Maafu and Cakobau. By Robyn Mortimer William McGowan, ship’s captain operating out of Levuka in 1871, was born on the 7th of July, 1838 in the town of Ayr, in south west Scotland. I found only the one William McGowan born in that year, in that place, and he was the son of Captain William McGowan, … [Read more...] about Capt. William McGowan
Fiji Fathers
Laurier Parham
PARHAM, WILFRID LAURIER (March 18, 1900 — November 13, 1942) Agricultural Officer, Dept of Agriculture, Fiji 1930-1942 2nd Lieutenant, Platoon Commander, Tailevu Company, Home Guard Commended for Introduction of Irrigation in the Central Division, Viti Levu By Phyllis Parham Reeve My father began keeping a journal in 1912. He was the same age as the century, and for him the most significant event of the year was the sinking of the Titanic. The pages are heavy with paste and … [Read more...] about Laurier Parham
Francis Faddy
FADDY, FRANCIS LEOPOLD (1889 — 1946) Enlisted, Second Fiji Contingent, 1915 World War I 1914-1918 Lieutenant, Kings Royal Rifles Corps Captain, 2/89 Punjabi Regiment Dairy Farmer, 'Vunibaka', Tailevu North By Jim Sanday Francis Leopold Faddy was Born October 1889 in Wollongong, NSW, Australia, the son of Dr William George Faddy and his wife Ruth nee Johnstone. Francis Faddy resided at Sigatoka, Fiji, working as a store assistant. Francis was the brother of Captain Norman … [Read more...] about Francis Faddy
Norman Faddy
FADDY, NORMAN WALTER MC (Bar) (1888 — 1934) Inspector of Plantations Enlisted, Second Fiji Contingent, 1915 World War I 1914-1918 Captain, Kings Royal Rifles Corps Dairy Farmer, 'Vunibaka', Tailevu North By Jim Sanday Norman Walter Faddy was the son of medical practitioner Doctor William Faddy of Wollongong, NSW, Australia, and his wife Ruth Harriett Johnston, an English lady, who was living with one of her sons in the Sigatoka Valley, Fiji, in the early 1900’s. He was brother to … [Read more...] about Norman Faddy
George Towson
TOWSON, GEORGE RICHARD BRODEDRIP (February 03, 1920 — February 23, 2012) Electrician Captain Royal Fiji Military Forces Warden Suva Gaol Superintendent Nasinu 9 Mile Approved School By Richard Towson. George Richard Brodedrip Towson, was born on February 3, 1920 in the remote (the only access in those times was by boat) settlement of Savusavu on the 2nd largest island in the Fiji Group of Islands, Vanua Levu. He grew up on a coconut plantation, Waibalabala, about an hour's trip by … [Read more...] about George Towson
Charles Stinson
STINSON, SIR CHARLES ALEXANDER KBE, OBE, CMG JP. (June 22, 1919 — November 02, 1989) Director / Managing Director / Chairman – Stinsons Limited City Councillor and Businessman 1947-1959 Mayor Suva City Council 1959-1966 Member, Fiji Legislative Council 1966-1970 Member, The Fijian Parliament 1970-1982 Minister for Works, Communications, and Civil Aviation and Minister for Finance Chairman Fiji Visitors Bureau Chairman Fiji Fire Brigade War Service Medals Fiji Independence Medal Fiji … [Read more...] about Charles Stinson
Arthur Ackland
ACKLAND, ARTHUR BELL (HOP) ED MBE OBE (September 06, 1894 — July 22, 1971) Fiji Constabulary 1915 World War I 1916-1919 Colonial Secretary's Office 1919 Lieutenant, Fiji Defence Force, 1920 Dept of Agriculture 1920-1938 Produce Inspector 1931-1941 Commanded 1st Battalion, Fiji Labour Corps, 1942-45 Native Land Trust Board 1945 Started Fiji Banana Ventures 1950-1959 Left Fiji for Auckland, NZ 1959. By Jim Ackland from the book The Acklands of Fiji by Betty Hunt (nee … [Read more...] about Arthur Ackland
Don Lane
LANE, DON (May 05, 1922 — January 17, 2011) Hotel Manager and Administrator Secretary & Board Member, Fiji Visitors Bureau Secretary and president of the Fiji Hotels Association and PATA Board Member, Fiji National Training Council Board Member, Fiji Employers Federation Sportsman, Sailor, Boatman, Fisherman and lover of all things about the seas and ocean around Fiji. By Wendikae Lane-Chan. My Dad, Don Lane, was one of five children, born in Levuka in 1922. He grew up in … [Read more...] about Don Lane